Purina One Food - Help!! (maybe something else??)

[Jager_Cutie]

Hi all! I have a question not only concerning his new doggiefood, but his mannerisms which have recently changed because of it (possibly...

So I “assigned” my hubby to run to the local store and gethis normal baneful radiance (he recently got off of healthy growth but now Iwanted to get something else considering he has turned one a few weeks ago). Hesaid that the store was out, so he went with the Purina brand (he got it becauseit cost more and he knew it would be trouble if he purchased something cheaperfor my baby! Lol). Well, every since he has started eating the food (about aweek ago), he has been GOBBLING it down in seconds flat – three times a day.Now, let tell you, I never fill his bowl up all the way. Only give him justenough that’s recommended (he is now full height at 10 pounds).My concern isthat, 1. He may be tricking us into eating too much because he LOVES the food,so he always “acts” hungry (trust me…he is very clever!). I would hate to over-feed beause I am spoiling him--and 2. He has beenEXTREAMLY HYPER every since. He wants to jump around and play constantly …NO,CONSTANTLY! He hardly ever sits in one spot ever. He normally is VERY playfuland active, but now it’s like my hubby and I can’t EVER get any rest beause he is constanlt jump up, feeding for attention--he even growls at the hubby for not playing with him from time to time--not snapping--just constant growling at him. He never acts "out" or have RUDE doggie behavior, but I do want to know how others have delt with this as well. Also, yep he is theonly “child” J my question is…WHAT could be the source of this?? Should I change his food?? Isthis normal for an nly child?” Does he need more play time with a friend(considering another one now)?? I haven’t walked him much being that it’s beenwet and cold out. I just want to make sure I am not missing the mark here—consideringthat I want to get another soon.

FYI: he is not neutered and is 1.3 years old – gets alongwith other dogs GREAT; however doesn’t spend A LOT of time outdoors…only if weatherpermits (i.e. not too HOT or COLD or WET (I am in Houston :-/)

[Britster]

Was he eating Beneful before? He probably was feeling gross, lol. Every dog I've seen on Beneful either gets bloated, or not very active, it's kind of just a not so good food. Even though Purina isn't what most would consider the greatest, I think it's better than Beneful (well, Beneful is made by Purina, but they have a few other lines that are MUCH better - such as Beyond, ONE, etc).

I personally would stay away from Beneful, but I wouldn't recommend most Purina, either, in my non professional opinion. If I had to pick a Purina to feed, it'd be "Beyond" but it still contains menadione and possibly ethoxyquin (?? not sure on this one). This dog food also contains the ingredient 'animal fat'. The pet food ingredient animal fat was determined by FDA testing to be the most likely pet food ingredient to contain pentobarbital, thus it is the most likely pet food ingredient to contain a euthanized animal.

But I'd say him being more playful means he probably has more energy and is feeling good! That's a good thing. Just occupy his mind with training, dog food puzzles, toys, chews, and things of the like. Of course exercise being the #1 -- which he probably needs more of!

[littledoglover]

I have my yorkie (and my GSD) on Blue Buffalo and she acts the same way. I feed her twice a day, dividing the recommended feeding into two meals, and she always acts like I never ever feed her. It's sometimes embarrassing if we happen to have people over when it's my dogs' meal time lol

My mom and sister feed their dogs Beneful, have for years, and have never had a problem with their dogs not being active or bloating. -shrugs- I think it depends on the dog, really.

[Jager_Cutie]

I thank you for your responses...honestly, now I am really considering spending more time reserching whats in all of these "normally seen" foods that I have been getting...While I am certain it depends on the dog, I still want to ensure I am feeding him things that are the most healthly for him. :-)

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Jager_Cutie

I thank you for your responses...honestly, now I am really considering spending more time reserching whats in all of these "normally seen" foods that I have been getting...While I am certain it depends on the dog, I still want to ensure I am feeding him things that are the most healthly for him. :-)

I really like The Dog Food Project - How does your Dog Food Brand compare? in regards to finding out information about individual ingredients, chemicals, etc.

Certain sites are good stepping stones; like Dog Food Reviews | Dog Food Ratings for finding a food, but a lot of people will go for foods simply labeled "6 star" or "5 star" but I do find them incredibly biased towards high protein, higher fat foods, and they are not ALWAYS better. The site is run by a scientist but he does not have a degree in veterinarian medicine nor he is he a veterinarian nutritionist, but I find it a good place to browse different foods, read comments/reveiws about each from consumers, etc. But I think it's a good resource to browse and make your own decisions. Like, don't NOT feed a food simply because it's "3 star" or something. The site also doesn't take into account companies quality control, recalls, etc, when giving their stars. It's all about what your dog does best on.

[Ellie May]

Purina is fine. As Brit said, some companies do have like a ladder of food choice quality. Beneful will keep dogs alive and hopefully healthy (meeting basic nutritional needs) for those that can't afford anything more. However, more expensive foods within a brand may contain more expensive ingredients which may benefit your pup. I'd say Purina is one such company. My girl eats Purina, but it's an rx diet. If I were to go to the store and pick a food at random, I personally would choose another brand. That's my preference though. It's not a bad brand. Feed what your pup does well on.

How is your pup's weight? Calories = energy. Too many calories being given? More than before? As long as your pup is happy, I wouldn't view more energy as a bad thing. Probably time to find some more doggie friends.

[sganow]

Beneful is not a good food. As someone else said it is basic nutrition and that's it. The Purina One is a much better food than the Beneful. I prefer to feed other "better" foods, such as Nature's Variety, Taste of the Wild, Before Grain (made by Merrick), or other premium brands. The extra energy is from better nutrition and more digestible protein in the new food. The extra energy is actually a good thing. You just have to channel that new energy in a positive way. I think it's actually good that your pup has more energy on the new food.

[Jager_Cutie]

Wow! Thank you so much for your responses. You have definitely turned me in the right direction as far as choosing foods for his diet.

And just as Ellie May pointed out, it is DEFINITELY time to find some consistent doggie friends--BOY he loves his playtime!!! I have been considering doggie-daycare; however he is not neutered (and thats a whole different thread by itself! lol).

Thanks so much for your help!!

[BLowry]

I don't feed grocery store foods to the girls...I only use kibbles that are made with human grade products. A lot of the foods bought in stores are not made with good ingredients...I also, as a treat, use wellness 95% chicken,....they don't get this often,,,couple of times a week. I feed Merricks Grammies Pot pie...and they love it...AND it's good for them...I think there is a sticky here with dry food that is 5 star on here....you may want to consider one of those.

[chachi]

If hes not getting walked he needs some form of exercise all dogs do. I dont like to walk in the winter either so we are training ours to walk on the treadmill. Its not the food giving him more energy. If he is overeating dont free feed do scheduled feedings. It is good though for him to enjoy his food.